Special Education – Project PRISM

This is a doctor of philosophy in special education with an emphasis in mathematics and science.

The doctor of philosophy degree program with an emphasis in mathematics and science support advanced instruction for students with disabilities. Candidates will develop a program to meet their learning and research goals in the field of special education in mathematics or science.

Degree Requirements

Students meeting entrance criteria will be conditionally admitted to the program, assigned an adviser and expected to enroll in required course work.

After completing nine credit hours, including three credits of quantitative methods plus six credits of special education doctoral core course work, students must pass a qualifying examination to be fully admitted into the department.

After successfully completing the qualifying examination, students form a program committee and develop a program plan.

Once the majority of course work and competencies are completed (80 to 90 percent), students will be required to pass a comprehensive examination to advance to candidacy.

After successfully completing the comprehensive examination, students will form a dissertation committee and develop a research proposal. The dissertation committee may be the same as the program committee or may change based on the need to include faculty members with specific areas of expertise. Once all committee members approve the proposal, students can begin implementing dissertation study.

After completing the study, students must submit a written draft to the dissertation committee and orally defend their work.

Students will graduate only after all dissertation committee members approve the written dissertation and oral defense.

Applicants who have never been enrolled at the University of Missouri must submit their application for graduate admission. Please use the online application system, ApplyYourself.

Applicants who are currently enrolled at the university must submit a change form to this office.

If you have been enrolled at MU as a graduate student before but have not been enrolled in the past year, submit a request to re-enroll to the Department of Special Education, 303 Townsend, Columbia, MO 65211.

The Personal Data Sheet includes pertinent biographical information and professional experience.

As a part of this requirement, the applicant must confer or correspond with one of the special education faculty members in the proposed area of concentration prior to submitting an application. If you do not know who to speak to, contact Delinda van Garderen at vangarderend@missouri.edu.

4. Write a statement of purpose, usually around 500 words, in which you summarize your professional goals, including career objectives, research interests, your motivation for advanced graduate work and other pertinent information.

5. Submit at least three letters of recommendation.

The letters should attest to your professional competence, academic preparation and potential for graduate work.

Ideally, two letters should be from college or university professors who can discuss your academic abilities, and one should be from an administrator or colleague who can describe authoritatively your professional experience and potential.

Letters may be sent to the Department of Special Education, or they may be submitted through the ApplyYourself system.

6. GRE scores from the past five years

7. TOEFL or IELTS scores from the past two years (only required for students whose native language is not English)

Waivers will not be granted for this requirement.

Conditional acceptance: Conditional acceptance into the program is not provided for those students who wish to pursue English language training in the U.S. prior to starting their graduate studies. Applications submitted will be reviewed for admission into the program as per the criteria noted below.

An interview may be required by the admissions committee.

Please feel free to submit any other materials that you feel would give a clearer picture of your qualifications. If you have questions or if you would like a paper application packet, contact the Department of Special Education at umccoesped@missouri.edu.

Admission Decisions

Each applicant’s credentials are reviewed by a committee of faculty that is committed to using professional judgement to find applicants with great potential for success and contribution to the profession. Membership in underrepresented groups is a special consideration for the committee. The department cannot assure admission to all applicants who meet minimum admission requirements.